Spin dryers

ABSTRACT

A SPIN EXTRACTION MACHINE FOR SPIN RINSING, AND SPIN EXTRACTION OF WATER FROM, A CLOTHES LOAD TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A CLOTHES WASHER AND HAVING BOTH SPIN RINSING AND SPIN EXTRACTION MODES OF OPERATION. THE SPIN EXTRACTION MACHING COMPRISING A ROTATABLE PERFORATE SPIN BASKET ROTATABLY MOUNTED ABOUT ITS AXIS WITHIN A STATIONARY OUTER CONTAINER. DURING SPIN RINSE THE SPIN BASKET IS PREFERABLY INTERMITTENTLY ROTATED FOR A PLURALITY OF RINSE CYCLES WHILE A CONTINUOUS STREAM OF RISE WATER IS DIRECTED TOWARD THE INTERIOR OF THE SPIN BASKET. THE MAXIMUM ROTATIONAL SPEED OF THE SPIN BASKET DURING A RINSE CYCLE IS THAT CORRESPONDING TO A RADICAL ACCELERATION OF LESS   THAN 300 G. DURING THE SPIN EXTRACTION MODE OF OPERATION, THE RINSE WATER STREAM IS SHOUT OF AND THE SPIN BASKET IS ACCELERATED TO A SPEED SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THE MAXIMUM SPEED DURING SPIN RINSE.

Nov. 16, 1971 H, DUNN 3,620,053

SPIN DRYERS Filed Aug. 4, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet l 25? 4o) flip-"LJ 44? O O O I "fPS +o o o PS ooo o 3Of IOvbooo oooo 1 0000000 39 l i 45 l -llllz Nov. 16, 1971 H. G. DUNN SPIN DRYERS Filed Aug. 4, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 16, 1971 H. G. DUNN 3,620,058

SPIN DRYERS Filed Aug. 4, 1969. 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ++ooo ooooo+++ oo'oooo ooooooo ooooo oooooooo oooooo oooooo SPIN DrnmRsl Filed Aug. 4, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4

Fig.5

MOTOR X X -5C X RINSE X X 5C 4o x x 40C 48 X X 148C 60 X X 60C 85' x x 85C BOIL X X United States Patent U.S. Cl. 68-23.5 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A spin extraction machine for spin rinsing, and spin extraction of water from, a clothes load to be used in conjunction with a clothes washer and having both spin rinsing and spin extraction modes of operation. The spin extraction machine comprising a rotatable perforate spin basket rotatably mounted about its axis within a stationary outer container. During spin rinse the spin basket is preferably intermittently rotated for a plurality of rinse cycles while a continuous stream of rinse water is directed toward the interior of the spin basket. The maximum rotational speed of the spin basket during a rinse cycle is that corresponding to a radial acceleration of less than 300 g. During the spin extraction mode of operation, the rinse water stream is shut olf and the spin basket is accelerated to a speed substantially higher than the maximum speed during spin rinse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been found that although the efficiency of centrifugal spin drying or spin extraction increases progressively with speed, the ultimate effectiveness of spin rinsing is liable to fall off above a certain rotational speed or if rotation is continued too long. While the present invention is not dependent upon any particular theory of operation it is believed that when the rotational speed is increased to a value which is practical and appropriate for spin extraction, the clothes tend in time to become progressively more compressed against the periphery of a spin basket to such an extent so as to obstruct the passage of suspended impurities in the water and in effect to have a filtering action which interferes with spin rinsing. Thus by having a separate position of the control means for spin rinsing, in which the speed is restricted, the present invention enables improved spin rinsing to be obtained. By carrying out automatic rinsing with intermittent spinning, the limitation of spin speed can be effected in a simple manner without requiring a motor controlled to run at a lower speed than that normally employed for spin extraction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to spin rinsing, and is concerned with improved machines and methods for spin-rinsing clothes and for spin extraction or spin drying clothes.

According to one aspect of this present invention, a spin-rinsing machine has a spin basket for rinsing clothes rotatable about its axis in a stationary outer container, drive means for driving the spin basket, control means for automatically interrupting the drive to the spin basket so that it runs intermittently, and water supply means for supplying rinsing water to the spin basket at least during the periods while the drive is interrupted.

The machine is adapted for both spin rinsing and spin extraction and preferably includes control means having a spin rinsing position in which the spin basket is rotated at a speed corresponding to a maximum acceleration of the clothes not greater than 300 g., and a spin 3,620,053 Patented Nov. 16, 1971 lCC extraction position in which the spin basket is rotated at a speed substantially higher than the maximum rinsing speed.

Conveniently, the interruption of the drive functions to prevent the speed from exceeding the maximum acceleration of the clothes of about 300 g. Each period of rotation may be between lO and 30 seconds. Various means may be employed for interrupting and resuming the drive to the spin basket and can be controlled by various methods including a timer or means responsive to the speed of the spin basket.

Preferably, however, in a machine which includes a pump used for emptying the stationary outer container and which is driven by the spin basket drive so that the pump drive is interrupted at the same time as the drive of the spin basket, the control means for automatically interrupting and resuming the drive to the spin basket is controlled by a level-responsive switch responding to lthe level of liquid in the stationary outer container.

`Conveniently the machine includes a water spout or water supply means supported by the machine for directing water into the spin basket. The spin basket has a vertical axis and is open at the top. The spin basket is provided with a stationary cover and controlling contacts permitting the spin basket to be driven only when the cover is closed. The spout may be situated under the cover so as to direct water into the spin basket with the cover closed. Moreover, in a combined washing and spin rinsing machine, the water spout may be movable between a position in which it directs water into the spin basket and a position in which it directs water into a separate container for washing.

In connection with washing and spin extraction machines, it has been found advantageous to include a number of spin rinsing operations in which rinsing water is extracted from the clothes by a centrifugal operation. It is, however, desirable to allow the spin basket to come to rest, to give the rinsing water an opportunity to penetrate into all parts of the clothes, rather than being flung out before having an opportunity of penetrating into the clothes. It has previously been customary to achieve this by manually switching of the drive to the spin basket and pump, while pouring in water, and then switching the drive on to centrifuge the rinsing water and pump the water away.

In its preferred form, the present invention provides mean for doing this automatically, the series of operations bei-ng merely started and terminated manually, by turning the water on and olf respectively.

Thus, with the control knob in the spin-rinsing position, the drive to the spin basket will not operate until the liquid level in the container rises above a certain preselected point, and hence will not operate until after the water has been turned on. The intermittent drive of the spin basket and pump, lowering the liquid level, will then continue to alternate with intervals during which the level rises, until the water is manually turned off so that the level will not rise again.

The arrangement is simple and requires no separate timing device. Moreover, unlike a simple timing device, it ensures that the operation does not stop until the water is turned off so that there is no fear of -flooding.

In addition, in its preferred form, the invention restricts the speed of rinsing.

Such a limitation of the speed during `spin-rinsing is of value in itself. Thus according to a further aspect of the invention, a combined spin-rinsing and spin extraction machine has a spin basket for receiving clothes rotatable about its axis in a stationary outer container, drive means for driving the spin basket, and control means having a spin rinsing position in which the spin basket is rotated at a speed corresponding to a maximum acceleration of the clothes not greater than 300 g and a spin extraction position in which the spin basket is rotated at a speed substantially higher than the maximum spin rinsing speed.

According to a further aspect of the invention a method of spin rinsing includes placing clothes in a spin basket which is rotatable about its axis in a stationary outer container, spinning the spin basket by a rotatable drive, automatically interrupting the drive so that it runs intermittently, and supplying rinsing water to the spin basket continuously both during the periods while the drive is interrupted and operative.

Preferably the drive to a pump for emptying the stationary outer container is interrupted at the same time as that of the spin basket, and the control means for automatically interrupting and resuming the drive to the spin basket is controlled by a level-responsive switch responding to the level of liquid in the outer container, whereby the spin rinsing starts when the water has been turned on and ends when the water has been turned off.

Further features and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description of one specific embodiment, given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the main parts of a combined washing and spin-drying machine incorporating the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the machine,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic partial sectional elevation showing the relationship of the movable spout to the spin basket and washing container and their lids,

FIG. 4 is a view of the control knobs, and

FIG. 5 is a table indicating the settings of certain switch contacts in various positions of the main control knob.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention is shown as applied to a combined washing and spin extraction machine, the general layout of which is generally shown in FIG. 1 and described below.

As shown schemotcally in FIG. 1 the vertical axis spin-dryer is of generally conventional form comprising a rotatable perforate spin basket open at the top and mounted to rotated about its vertical axis in a stationary outer container 11. The spin basket 10 is driven by a drive means including an electric motor 12, a belt 13, and pulleys 14 and 15. The motor 12 also serves to drive an emptying pump 1'6 also incorporates a two-way valve controlled by a knob enabling the pump inlet to be connected to a conduit 21 communicating with the bottom of outer container 11 or to a conduit 22 communicating with the bottom of the washing container referred to below. The pump outlet communicates with a conduit 23 which will be directed into a drain (not shown).

The outer container 11 is provided with a pressure switch having a contact 30/1 responding to the water pressure at the bottom of the container 11. The container has an overflow opening 31 above the level of the pressure switch 30.

The washing portion of the machine comprises a wash tub 35 provided with a side wall impeller of disc form (not shown) driven by a motor 36 through a belt 37 and pulleys 38 and 39.

The wash tub 35 is provided with a heater 43 at the bottom and a lid 44 at the top. The heater is controlled by a pressure switch having a contact 45/1 responding to the pressure at the bottom of the tub and hence to the level of water in the tub.

A water inlet spout 40 generally of inverted L-shaped form is mounted with its vertical limb sliding telescopically on a fixed inlet tube 41 connected in turn to an inlet hose 42 provided with a tap connector (not shown) to supply fresh Water to the machine. The tap connector can to a certain extent control the water flow by being arranged to be blown off from the tap if the flow is excessive and incorporate an air break from which the Water spills over if the flow is insuicient.

As indicated in FIG. 3 the inlet spout 40 has two dilerent positions. As shown in full lines it has a lower storage and rinsing position in which it extends over the spin basket 10 so as to direct water into it. The spin basket 10 is provided with a hinged lid 25 which can be lowered to close its top and which controls electrical contacts 25/1 to prevent spinning except when the lid 25 is closed. The lower position of the inlet spout 40 is such as not to prevent closure of the lid 25. From this position the inlet spout 40 can be raised to an upper position shown in dotted lines and rotated about its vertical axis so as to extend over the wash tub 35 for the purpose of lling it. For this purpose the lid 44 of the wash tub will be at least partially open.

The circuit diagram of the machine is shown in FIG. 2 from which it will be seen that the machine includes certain parts not so far mentioned. These include a thermostatic main control switch controlled by a knob 50 having a shaft 51 carrying three cams 52, 53 and 54.

The cam 52 controls a pair of main contacts 5.2/1 and 52/ 2 for isolating the complete machine from an electric supply when in an OFF position.

The cam 53 serves to adjust a pair of thermostatic contacts 53/H and 53/C so as to vary the temperatures at which a common contact 53/1 changes over from one to the other. The common contact 53/1 is controlled through a snapover device by a bellows 55 connected to a uid bulb 56 responding to the temperatures in the wash tub. The cam 53 is a double faced stepped cam, one face of which acts on the contact 53/C whilst the other face acts on the contact 53/H so as to move both of them in the same direction. Thus as the temperature in the tub rises a point is reached at which the bellows Will cause the common contact 53/1 to snap over from the cold contact 53/C to the hot contact 53/H but the temperature at which it will do so will depend upon the position of the cam 53 so that this temperature can be Selected by the user in accordance with the type of clothes being washed. The device can be set in either position irrespective of temperature by adjusting it to a temperature above or below the practical range.

The third cam 54 actuates a Contact 54/1 in order t0 bypass the pressure switch contact 30/1 and thus override the pressure switch 30 when the control means is in a spin extraction position but to allow the Contact 30/1 to be effective in accordance with the invention when the control means is in a spin rinse position.

The washing motor 36 is controlled by a timer 59 having a knob 60 driven by a timer motor 61 provided with a contact 61/1. The timer motor is connected in parallel with the washing motor 36 so as to switch itself off at the end of a predetermined time cycle selected by the knob 60.

As will be clear from FIG. 2 the circuit is briefly as follows:

Alternating supply terminals 65 are connected respectively through the Contact 52/1 to a live line 66 and through the contact 52/2 to a neutral line 67. The live line 66 is connected to the common contact 53/1 of the manual cam 53 whereof the cold Contact 53/C is connected through the pressure switch Contact 45/1 to the heater 43 whose other terminal is connected to the neutral line 67. Thus when the water in the Washing tub 35 is colder than the temperature set, and provided the level of water is sufliciently high as indicated by the pressure switch 45, the heater 43 will be energized.

The hot contact 53/H is connected through the timer contact 61/1 to the wash motor 36 and timer motor 61 to the neutral line 67. Thus if the wash timer has been set to a time by the knob 60, then when the water in the wash tub 35 becomes as hot as the selected temperature, and the common contact 53/1 changes over from the cold contact 53/C to the hot contact 53/H, the heater 43 will be switched olf and the wash motor 36 will be automatically started to cause washing of the clothes. The timer 59` will also be started and will run for the selected time after which it will open the timer contact 61/1 so as to terminate the wash automatically.

The hot contact 53/H is also connected through the pressure switch contact 30/1 of the spin container and through the lid-operated microswitch 25/1 to the spin motor 12 whose other terminal is connected to the neutral line 67. The hot contact 53/H and the pressure switch contact 30/1 are shunted by the by-pass contact 54/1 which is closed in the spin extraction position but not in the spin rinse position or in any other position of the main control knob 50.

Accordingly the remaining portions of the operation of the spin rinse and extraction device are substantially as follows:

As indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and already mentioned, the cam 52 of the main control knob 50 opens the contacts 52/1 and 52/2 so as to isolate the machine from both poles of the supply in the Ott position, but closes these contacts in all other positions.

Next, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the knob 50 has a Motor position which is used for spin extraction and is the only position in which the cam 54-closes the bypass contact 54/1 so that the spin motor will be energized merely through the lid-operated microswitch 25/1, so that whenever this lid is closed the spin motor will run to spin the basket 10.

Next the knob 50 has a Rinse position in which the by-pass contact 54/1 is open. In all these three positions, namely the Ott position, the Motor or spin extraction position, and the Rinse position, the thermostat contacts 53/C and 53/H are adjusted to a position corresponding to minus 5 C. Thus the water will always be too hot and the common contact 53/1 will remain permanently in connection with the hot contact 53/H s0 that the heater 43 will be switched olf and the washing motor 36 may run if called upon to do so by the timer knob 60, and spinning may take place under the control of the pressure switch 30/ 1.

The remaining positions of the main control knob 50 call for little comment as they have no close connection with the present invention. Briefly in each position the heater 43 is energized until the water in the wash tub reaches the selected temperature, whereupon, as already described, the heater is switched oi and the washing motor is started and will run for a time preset by the wash timer control knob 60. In the boil position the thermostat is set to a temperature of perhaps 105 C., s0 that the heater will remain switched on so long as there is any water in the wash tub.

Accordingly the operation of rinsing, with which the present invention is primarily concerned, is as follows:

For spin rinsing the user directs the spout 40 into the spin basket and closes the lid 25, thereby closing the contacts 25/1. The user then turns the main control knob 50 to the rinse position, and turns on the water at the tap so that water flows continuously, for example at a rate of 1 or 2 gallons per minute, into the spin basket 10. The water percolates down through the clothes and thence into the outer container 11. When the liquid in the outer container 11 reaches a predetermined level, 1n the region of or slightly below the bottom of the basket 10, the pressure switch 30 closes its contacts 30/1 and starts the motor 12 to spin the basket 10 and drive the pump 16.

Initially as liquid is discharged from the clothes the level in the outer container 11 will normally rise slightly, and thereafter, as the pump 16 and basket 10 gather speed, the pump 16 will discharge the liquid so as gradually to lower its level in the outer container 11. When the liquid falls below the predetermined low level the pressure switch 30 opens the contacts 30/1 so as to switch off the motor 12 and the basket 10 and pump :16 come to rest. The

6 water continues to be supplied through the spout 40 and to percolate into the clothes and the rinse cycle continues to be repeated automatically as the level rises and is then again lowered by the pump 16 until the user stops the supply of water through the spout 40.

Factors such as the capacity of the pump 16, the rate of supply of water, the characteristics of the motor 12 and the settings of the pressure switch 30 are so chosen that the motor will be switched off at a speed substantially below the full speed employed for spinning. For example in a specific design the full speed employed for spin extraction is some 2,300 r.p.m. but the maximum speed reached with the control switch 50 in the Rinse position is approximately 1400 r.p.m. This speed, with a basket diameter of 8", represents a maximum radial centrifugal acceleration of approximately 220 g. Under normal conditions the motor 12, is switched off for a period from one to two minutes and switched on for about a quarter of a minute in each rinse cycle.

The rate of acceleration of the basket 10 to speed depends partly upon the rate of flow of incoming water since this is accelerated before being discharged and therefore exerts an inertial braking eiect on the basket 10. On the other hand an increase in the rate of inflow of water tends to increase the period required for the pump 16 to reduce the water level in the outer container 11 to the level at which the pressure switch 30 operates. These two factors tend to compensate for each other so as to make the maximum rotational speed of the basket 10 reached during a rinse cycle less dependent on the rate of inflow of water. i

The arrangement described provides an extremely simple means of obtaining improved spin rinsing by restricting the speed during rinsing, without requiring a two speed motor to maintain a speed lower than that employed for spin extraction. The improvement in spin rinsing is dependent not only on the restriction of speed but also on the restriction of the duration of each period of rotation, and this is achieved without recourse to a timer. Moreover the rinsing cycle described is also advantageous for treatment of so called drip-dry, minimum iron or easy-care fabrics, to ensure adequate rinsing without undue creasing caused by high radial accelerations or clothes packing.

While the form of the embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A clothes spinning machine for spin rinsing and spin extraction comprising a stationary outer container, a rotatable perforate spin basket within said outer container, control means, said control means having a spin rinsing position, water supply means continuously supplying rinse water to said spin basket when said control means is in said spin rinsing position, a spin basket drive, said spin basket drive accelerating said spin basket when said control means is in said spin rinsing position to a speed wherein the clothes have a maximum radial acceleration not greater than 300 g whereas at least a part of the water within said spin basket and the clothes is removed from said spin basket into said outer container, said control means including automatic means which interrupt and resume said spin basket drive so as to provide at least one spin rinse period, wherein said control means has a spin extraction position, said spin basket drive accelerating said spin basket when said control means is in said spin extraction position to a speed wherein the clothes have a radial acceleration greater than 300 g., including a pump for removing water from said outer container when said control means is in said spin rinsing position and said spin extraction position and which is driven by said spin basket drive so as to be driven when said spin basket is rotated, wherein said control means includes a water level responsive switch responding to the 7 level of water within said stationary outer container, said control means automatically interrupting said spin basket drive when the water level reaches a minimum position and resuming said spin basket drive when s tid water level reaches a maximum position.

2. A clothes spinning machine for spin rinsing and spin extraction comprising a stationary outer container, a rotatable perforate spin basket within said outer container, control means, said control means having a spin rinsing position, water supply means continuously supplying rinse water to said spin basket when said control means is in said spin rinsing position, a spin basket drive, said spin basket drive accelerating said spin basket when said control means is in said spin rinsing position to a speed wherein the clothes havey a radial acceleration whereas at least a part of the Water within said spin basket and the clothes is removed from said spin basket into said outer container, said control means including automatic means which interrupt and resume said spin basket drive so as to provide at least one spin rinse period, said control means also having a spin extraction position, said spin basket drive accelerating said spin basket when said control means is in said spin extraction position to a speed wherein the clothes have a radial acceleration greater than the maximum radial acceleration when said control means is in said spin rinsing position, a pump for removing water from said outer container when said control means is in said spin rinsing position and said spin extraction position and which is driven by said spin basket drive so as to be driven when said spin basket is rotated, said control means including a water level responsive switch responding to the level of water within said stationary outer container, said control means automatically interrupting said spin basket drive when the water level reaches a minimum position and resumes said spin basket drive when said water level drive reaches a maximum position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. XR. 68-26, 148 

